“Don’t think about what you’re doing,” I said. “Focus on one step after another. In no time, we’ll all be standing on the other side.”
Finished with the trial? I hoped so.
Tightening both hands on the rope railings, I stepped onto the second plank. It creaked but held my weight.
As I moved across, the bridge groaned and swayed. Back and forth. Back and forth. It felt flimsier than it looked, and it sure looked puny. My belly jolted up into my throat, but I forced it down and made myself move forward. One step. Another, with my boots skidding on the planks slick with moisture. Dragging my eyes away from the horrendous drop below.
“Watch out for the eighth board,” I called back. “It’s punky and might give way.” I scanned the area I still had to cross. “And the one with flecks of white has a long crack. It might not hold much weight.”
The bridge sank behind me, and I didn’t have to look back to know who had decided to closely follow.
“Hey, we were going to go one at a time,” Lexie called out shrilly. “Maddox, come back!”
Thuds rang out as he caught up, getting close enough I could not only smell his sour breath but feel the heat of it on my neck.
His added weight made the bridge sway and creak, the ancient ropes groaning in protest.
“Do you have to?” I hissed.
“Oh, yes, I do. Can’t let you do this alone, now can I?”
The malice in his voice gouged through me.
I kept going. The sooner I made it to the other side, the sooner I could put distance between us.
Halfway across, I placed my right foot on what looked like a solid plank. Instead, my boot punched straight through, the board splittingin half. Sections of it dropped, falling, spiraling toward the river. The sickening cracks as they hit the wall on their way down echoed through the cavern, making my heart leap.
My sweaty hands slipped on the rope railing as my leg dropped into empty air. I shifted sideways, trying to throw my body against the sturdier rail, my fingers scrambling for purchase.
The rope burned through my palms as I tried to catch myself.
Gravity always had been stronger than desperation.
I plunged through the gap.
Falling.
19
ISI
Maddox’s hand snapped around my wrist, stopping my fall.
I dangled, looking up at him. My legs scrambled through air. Breathing hard, my pulse thundering in my ears.
His slick smile jerked up on one side. “When you die, Isi, you won’t see it coming.”
With a jerk, he hauled me up, his arm strong and steady around my waist, anchoring me as my legs wobbled and my feet scrambled to find purchase on a sturdy board.
My heart pounded, while a mess of relief and fury bolted through me.
Safe, but only barely.
I was a trembling wreck. I wanted to sob. And I’d do almost anything to get off this rope bridge.
“Thanks.” I met his gaze, finding only endless rage there.
With a lift of my chin, I turned and made myself step over the gap that had nearly cost me my life.
